Jumblat Replies to Jafari's Comments, Says Lebanon Rejects 'Iranian Dictates'

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat denounced on Friday what he described as “Iranian dictates” assuring that the Lebanese are well aware of their own interests and able to address their own affairs.

“As the Lebanese have disapproved the unusual manner that some Saudi circles have used in dealing with (PM) Sheikh Saad, we reject this Iranian dictates by the commander of the Revolutionary Guards Mohammed Ali Jafari” said Jumblat in a tweet on Friday.

“The Lebanese have the experience and know-how to deal with their issues through dialogue,” added the MP.

On Thursday, Jafari said the issue of Hizbullah's arms is "non-negotiable." He said Lebanon remains Israel's first target, adding that therefore Hizbullah should be armed against it to maintain security in Lebanon.

"It is natural that Hizbullah should be equipped with the best weapons for its security. This issue is not negotiable, and all of Lebanon, except a number of little puppets, support the arming of Hizbullah," he said, according to comments in the Iranian semi-official Fars news agency.

Jumblat, head of the Democratic Gathering bloc, had met with Hariri Thursday evening at the Center House accompanied by MP Wael Abu Faour and in the presence of Culture Minister Ghattas Khoury.

“We, the country and Sheikh Saad went through an exceptional situation but of course it was solved wisely and politically, thanks to the wisdom of Sheikh Saad and all parties in Lebanon, if not all at least the majority. Now we have a new start,” Jumblat had stated.

Hariri, who returned from a mysterious nearly three-week-long stay abroad, had caused widespread perplexity on November 4 when he resigned during a TV broadcast from Saudi Arabia, citing assassination threats as well as the negative impact on Lebanon and the region of Hizbullah and its Iranian patrons.

After a puzzling mini-odyssey that took him to France, Egypt and Cyprus, Hariri arrived back in his homeland on Tuesday and then announced that he was putting his decision to quit on hold ahead of negotiations.